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Twin Town High (vol. 8) |
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Topics > Music > VERB |
VERB - the part of speech that expresses existence, action, or occurrence -
HIP-HOP.....B-BOYS.....BREAKERS.....D.J.'S.....GRAF WRITERS.....MC'S.....BEAT MAKERS.....B-GIRLS
VERB is a new, regularly occurring column that is intended to provide cogent criticism and interviews with local and national artists and musicians crafting thought-provoking and innovative songs and art forms that stay under the mainstream Clear Channel sanitized cultural radar. We recognize that Hip-Hop is a huge part of the artistic community in the Twin Cities.
VERB is written by our own home-grown, original B-Girl, Kandis Knight, and features in-depth interviews with many notable faces on the Twin Cities Hip-Hop scene.
For questions, comments, concerns, interviews, info and/or insights, please email VERB. |
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Power struggle: Struggle for Power
Thursday 16 March @ 17:04:15 (Read: 3137) |
by Toki Wright
In the Spring of 2005, I had a gig at a hole-in-the-wall club above what appeared to be a country and western bar in San Francisco. The concert was with Z-Man of Hieroglyphics Crew and a new crew called Power Struggle. Knowing Nomi from Oddjobs and Kill The Vultures, I was interested in hearing what he had cooking. Later that weekend I met up with Nigerian-born Filipino-American Nomi and Producer/DJ Deetalx as they were knee-deep in creating the album Arson at the Petting Factory. Much like the makeshift booth built in Deetalx’s bedroom, Power Struggle is a representation of the fight against industry in true do-it-yourself (DIY) fashion.
Pulse: Power Struggle? Who’s in power and what is the struggle?
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verb: Hosting 101
Wednesday 27 April @ 21:40:38 (Read: 2602) |
by Kandis Knight
This past Saturday, I guest-hosted The Hook Up at The Dinkytowner. Regular host Unicus of Kanser told me that my co-host would be local emcee Mazta I. I couldn’t find Mazta I in the days before the show to coordinate, but was confident he had everything covered.
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verb: DJ Kamikaze (part 2)
Wednesday 20 April @ 01:13:23 (Read: 2971) |
by Kandis Knight
After opening for 50 Cent, Kamikaze’s distaste for Minneapolis reached a boiling point. “My brother graduated from art school and moved to New York. The house that we were living in started to get tough for me to live in alone. Everyone wanted to move in with me. But I was not trying to live with anyone, I was actually getting sick of Minneapolis.”
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verb: DJ Kamikaze (part 1)
Tuesday 12 April @ 23:27:51 (Read: 4873) |
by Kandis Knight
Since 1996, DJ Kamikaze, aka Eric Pugh, has been a local player in our Hip-Hop scene. He moved to Miami for a few years but came back when his life began spinning out of control. “When I was in Miami I was thugging. I was selling weed and shit. I was hustling trying to get money any way I could. That was when I was modeling, I was trying to get on the scene there. I was only 19,” said Kamikaze, now 27.
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verb special edition - Lateef the Truth Speaker: Maroon ambush
Wednesday 30 March @ 17:09:20 (Read: 2961) |
[Editor’s Note: Kandis is off this week so enjoy this hot profile on legendary MC Lateef The Truth Speaker for your weekly Hip-Hop fix.
On the Maroons’ debut album, Ambush, Lateef the Truth Speaker and Chief Xcel set out to make an album for a revolution that hasn’t happened yet. Taking cues from classic Hip-Hop records like Public Enemy’s Yo! Bum Rush the Show and De La Soul’s De La Soul is Dead, the Maroons imagine a dense sonic landscape where social consciousness is as highly valued as verbal mastery. In just nine songs—an economy of tracks that would make Thoreau proud—the Maroons combine political disenfranchisement with technical mastery to create a wholly unique sound. The revolution may not be televised, but if Ambush is any indication, it will have an explosive soundtrack.
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verb: A diplomatic presence
Wednesday 23 March @ 01:02:25 (Read: 11784) |
by Kandis Knight
It’s rare when a national Hip-Hop artist signed to a label as large as Roc-A-fella comes to Minneapolis to “chill” out. Last week, Juelz Santana, the 21-year-old vice president of Cam’ron’s Diplomats crew, was in Minneapolis on an official mission. To “chill out,” meet as many people as he could, shake as many hands as he could, hug as many fans, take a boatload of pictures and flood our streets with his new mix CD, More Crack.
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verb: Local artists help the “cause”
Wednesday 16 March @ 17:24:21 (Read: 2773) |
by Kandis Knight
We are blessed with a city full of many talented Hip-Hop artists who are also committed to helping the “cause.” Local emcee Golden is a perfect example. Despite being constantly busy with his music career, he still finds time to help with matters close to his heart.
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verb: Big Daddy Kane
Wednesday 09 March @ 16:56:55 (Read: 4529) |
by Kandis Knight
It was late afternoon last Wednesday and I gave up all hope that the interview with Hip-Hop legend Big Daddy Kane was going to ever transpire. That was when I received the phone call I was waiting for. Big Daddy Kane was at KMOJ Radio Station and I was going to be sitting in on the interview with Kane and rime time disc jockey Sam Soulprano.
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verb: Spring fever
Wednesday 02 March @ 19:02:11 (Read: 4684) |
by Kandis Knight
As the weather warms up, make sure you get out and check out some great local Hip-Hop events. The coming weeks are packed solid with different Hip-Hop shows around town that will offer diverse entertainment options for those of you who just love local Hip-Hop.
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verb: Stars of the North
Wednesday 23 February @ 00:16:41 (Read: 3652) |
by Kandis Knight
This week I ventured into the world of the Trak Citi Allstarz, founded in 2003 by emcee Matther Renner and DJ Reeg. Although this crew is relatively new to the scene, they deserve your support. You’ll definitely want to keep an eye on Trak Citi on a regular basis as my hunch is that they will be a respectable force in local Hip-Hop for years to come. Here’s the catch: Trak Citi, isn’t your typical Minneapolis underground Hip-Hop crew. For starters, they hail from Stillwater, and their appeal isn’t underground, it’s commercial.
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verb: Hip-Hop Club hits the net
Friday 18 February @ 21:59:16 (Read: 4788) |
by Kandis Knight
There’s no doubt that our local Hip-Hop scene is growing. It’s growing at a pace so fast that there’s a new Hip-Hop website busily striving to keep up with all the Twin Cities Hip-Hop news and information. Hip-Hop Club (HipHopClub.biz)grew from humble beginnings, but it’s been constantly growing since the launch date, thanks in part to the work ethic of the site’s staff.
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verb: Kill the Vultures keep it nasty
Wednesday 09 February @ 16:33:23 (Read: 4495) |
by Kandis Knight
A few short years ago one of the Twin Cities best Hip-Hop groups, Odd Jobs, left for the bright lights of New York City. Now they’ve returned (well, most of them). With a new album, a new sound and a new name, people get ready, Kill the Vultures have arrived.
Download an mp3 of Kill the Vulture’s song The Vultures.
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verb: Spring release rundown
Wednesday 02 February @ 16:23:28 (Read: 2952) |
by Kandis Knight
Spring is just around the corner and many local crews were busy spending their winter in the studio putting the thoughts and concepts they had down on paper, and transferring them to the mic. Nearly everyone in the local rap game is currently busy putting the finishing touches onto an album, inspecting cover art, or making tour plans. Now seems as good a time as any for a spring release rundown to get local Hip-Hop heads excited about what’s in store for them in the rest of 2005.
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VERB: CD reviews
Thursday 27 January @ 14:39:37 (Read: 3033) |
Editor’s note: Kandis is off this week. Expect her back with another scintillating local Hip-Hop profile next week. In the meantime, here are some CD reviews by guest columnist DJ Fat Beats.
Knowledge MC
The Book of Knowledge
(306 Entertainment)
I should have known something might be up with 306 Entertainment when they were based out of Prior Lake, as it turns out MC Knowledge is Christian—with a CAPITAL C—rap music.
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VERB: Anarchy Smiles
Wednesday 19 January @ 16:33:45 (Read: 2948) |
by Kandis Knight
I always follow a certain procedure when listening to a bad CD. I listen to it all the way through, get totally annoyed by it, wonder to myself, “What were they thinking?” and then hand it off to my little brother. I hate it when local crews put out bad CDs. I guess I feel like it reflects on the city. I’m sure some of you share my sentiments.
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VERB: 2005 starts with a bang
Wednesday 12 January @ 19:13:59 (Read: 4940) |
by Kandis Knight
The following are some notes I wrote just for fun about2005 thus far:
January 1st, 2005
It was early New Year’s morning 2005. I was looking up to the sky, thanking God to be alive. My cell phone read 11:10 a.m. I craved aspirin to relieve my aching head. All the while, you were probably “recovering” warm and cozy in your bed. But not me, I was at the place to be. Downtown St. Paul, standing in the middle of the street. The weatherman said it’s like minus 3 degrees! No wonder I can’t feel my face, hands or feet.
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VERB: Thank the Lord and the Sword
Wednesday 05 January @ 15:51:07 (Read: 2833) |
by Kandis Knight
On the coldest night of 2005, I decided to jump in my car and venture deep into St. Paul to have drinks with a spit-fire, thug, intellectual from Chicago named Mazta I, whom I have had my eye on for awhile. Rumor had it that he would be releasing a full-length album come spring and I wanted to get a sneak preview.
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VERB: The year in Twin Cities Hip-Hop
Tuesday 28 December @ 20:21:03 (Read: 3792) |
by Kandis Knight
When I started writing this column over a year ago people said it wouldn’t last. They said there weren’t enough local Hip-Hop artists to be profiled. I found the opposite to be true. There aren’t enough local journalists to cover all of the shows, album releases and stories that need to be reported. As we say “peace out” to 2004, I’m celebrating my second New Year writing VERB. It’s still a great honor and I’m constantly busy trying to keep up with the many talented local Hip-Hop artists.
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VERB: Frozen Minnesota ice trips my pimp walk
Thursday 23 December @ 10:54:50 (Read: 4229) |
by Kandis Knight
I’ve been itching to review EPL & Snakebird’s music since the first time I heard it—even as the local duo of Brandon Bagaason and Medium Zach changed their group name to Big Quarters shortly after dropping their fantastic album. The album EPL & Snakebird Songs is ideal chill music, the beats dictating a low-key feeling. Although the production is as tight as can be, the themes on some of the songs tend to get lost from bar to bar. Nevertheless, when I ask people what the most “slept on” local Hip-Hop album of the year is, EPL & Snakebird Songs is always mentioned first—and for good reason.
Download an mp3 of Biq Quarter’s song Along Came Polly.
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VERB: Boomtown
Wednesday 15 December @ 20:30:24 (Read: 3352) |
by Kandis Knight
On a new mix CD legendary rap artist Nas dubbed Minneapolis "The Bridge,” most likely due to the Twin Cities’ central geographic location as the Hip-Hop capital bridging the two coasts. In a recent interview with local music journalist Peter Scholtes of City Pages, Maseo from De La Soul couldn’t stop talking about local emcee Muja Messiah. It’s rumored that major labels are courting local Hip-Hop crew, Leroy Smokes. We have local emcees working with big name producers and artists including Dr. Dre, The Black Eyed Peas, Lil’ John, Bad Boy and Raphael Siddiq. The first ever all female Hip-Hop summit, called B-Girl Be, is being planned for Minneapolis in June 2005, Missy Elliott is the unconfirmed headliner. I believe it’s safe to say that 2005 is going to be the year the Twin Cities Hip-Hop scene officially busts out nationwide.
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VERB: Urban Dwellers is coming to a city near you
Sunday 12 December @ 19:05:42 (Read: 3114) |
by Kandis Knight
Fort Lauderdale natives Haj Sanchez, 31, and John Ska One, 28, founded Urban Dwellers in 1990 while Juniors in High School. As kids they were immersed in Hip-Hop culture for fun, they didn’t know that it would become their life’s work.
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VERB: Local Hip-Hopper aims high to fight hunger
Wednesday 01 December @ 19:53:46 (Read: 4792) |
by Kandis Knight
Canvassers come to my door all the time asking for donations for seemingly every cause under the sun. But a rapping canvasser has never solicited me for money—until now. “Do you want to hear my canvass rap?” asked an eager local emcee named Amy. Amy approached me months ago at The Dinkytowner and told me about a local show she was putting together to help the organization that saved her life.
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VERB: Local Hip-Hop and social activism
Wednesday 17 November @ 00:01:15 (Read: 14172) |
by Kandis Knight
Last week, I was invited to attend a community gathering about Police Brutality in light of the shooting death of Courtney Williams by Minneapolis Police. People I spoke to during the course of the day kept bringing up this “gathering” and mentioning that they were going to be there. So I began to wonder how closely local Hip-Hop is tied to social activism.
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VERB: DJ Fu Man Chu
Friday 12 November @ 15:17:16 (Read: 2864) |
by Kandis Knight
Last weekend, a friend and mentor, I Self Devine, asked me to come down to The Hideaway Studio to preview the mix down of his new album (to be released April 2005). While enjoying top-notch ear candy, I was able to dialogue with I Self’s music man, DJ Fu Man Chu.
Oh, and Ant was there also (The Hideaway is like Big Ant’s second home).
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VERB: How to stay hot when it’s really cold out!
Thursday 04 November @ 06:50:26 (Read: 2998) |
by Kandis Knight
[Editor’s note: As another evil Minnesota winter gets prepared to wreak havoc on our collective consciousness, local Hip-Hop reporter extraordinaire Kandis Knight provides us a glimpse into how she fights off chilly Minnesota nights with schedule chock full of local Hip-Hop lovin’ events.]
TONIGHT
Starting tonight, you can check out BOUNCE, Hip-Hop night at The Quest. DJ Chuck Chizzle will be spinning and he has got some killer mixes. I actually checked him out on Saturday at Mel’s Beauty Bar.
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VERB: Murs and Slug (part 2)
Wednesday 27 October @ 21:20:18 (Read: 3669) |
by Kandis Knight
Editor’s Note: This is the second part of an article tracing the escapades of our Hip-Hop columnist Kandis Knight hanging out with Def Jux indie-rap star Murs and our own Minnesota Hip-Hop heavyweight Slug of Atmosphere a few weekends back. Murs was in town to perform in front of packed houses at the 7th St.Entry but also found the time to do some recording with Slug on the long-awaited follow-up to their debut collaborative EP from 2002, Felt. To read part 1 of the story please click here.
10:30 p.m.
We arrived at KFAI. Rhymesayer’s Radio was blazing (KFAI 90.3 F.M. Saturday’s from 9 p.m.-11:00 p.m.). Prince Po was just getting ready to hit the booth. Everyone was in the zone to say the least.
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Verb: Murs and Slug at Work (part 1)
Wednesday 20 October @ 14:58:11 (Read: 3818) |
by Kandis Knight
It was a chilly Saturday in the Twin Towns, and according to my watch, the doors for the RJD2 and Prince Po concert at the Triple Rock were soon to open, I felt torn. I knew it was going to be a sold out show.
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Local Hip-Hop Reviews
Friday 15 October @ 16:04:54 (Read: 3091) |
by Dj Fat Beats
[Editor's note: Kandis is off this week, expect her back with another scintillating
local Hip-Hop profile next week. In the meantime, here's a batch of CD reviews from guest columnist DJ Fat Beats.]
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Heiruspecs (part 2)
Wednesday 06 October @ 18:21:07 (Read: 2930) |
by Kandis Knight
I received so much positive feedback regarding last week’s interview with Heiruspecs that I decided this week to publish the rest of our conversation. The things they had to say were more than I could print in just one column, and they were poignant. So here you go, for the fans, the rest that’s fit to print from my sitdown with Heiruspecs. Enjoy!
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Heiruspecs
Thursday 30 September @ 11:42:05 (Read: 4762) |
by Kandis Knight
While on the phone with my editor, my curiosity peaked about the title of the new Heiruspecs album, A Tiger Dancing. I had heard about the album in early spring and wondered if they were going to stick with that title. They did.
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Guardians of Balance
Wednesday 22 September @ 12:40:41 (Read: 3188) |
by Kandis Knight
Everyone knows The Guardians of Balance have paid their dues locally for years. Their first release Operation Clean Dirt Mission Brief is to be followed up in late October by their sophomore project titled Reverse Rappism. After many attempts, I was finally able to track down Mastermind and Slim, the two wise souls behind Guardian, for a few moments of reflection and small talk about the local music scene.
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The story of DJ BK-One
Thursday 16 September @ 16:56:48 (Read: 3080) |
As told by the prominent local DJ himself.
Where It all Started
I’m from Milwaukee, but Minneapolis is home now. There’s something welcoming about this place. The people who have made the biggest impact on my life have been from here. I blossomed here. I fell in love here, I started DJing here I got associated with Rhymesayers here. Minneapolis is definitely home. I’ve lived here since 1996.
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Summer's Dun Dunny
Wednesday 08 September @ 13:17:50 (Read: 2872) |
by Kandis Knight
Ah, Labor Day weekend in the Twin Towns. Summer is a wrap. With all of
the excitement I had going into the summer, I’m just glad it’s over. After taking a poll amongst my close friends, I know everyone feels the same.
This summer was not as exciting on the local Hip-Hop front as the summer of 2003 was.
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VERB: Sol. illaquists of Sound
Thursday 02 September @ 15:53:02 (Read: 4616) |
by Max Musicant
so·lil·o·quy: A dramatic discourse in which a character talks to himself or herself or reveals his or her thoughts to the audience without addressing a listener on stage.
Sol.illaquists of Sound: A Hip-Hop band like none other that prides itself on bringing Hip-Hop back to its purest and truest form.
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VERB: After the Party
Thursday 26 August @ 16:55:57 (Read: 4776) |
by Kandis Knight
This year’s Twin Cities Celebration of Hip-Hop was a huge success in many ways. I took the time to gather comments from a few Twin Cities “movers and shakers” present in the crowd that gathered this past weekend. I asked people’s opinions of what they appreciated about this year’s event compared to last year.
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VERB Special Edition: Voting Roundtable
Wednesday 18 August @ 09:43:07 (Read: 5064) |
The following are excerpts from a roundtable discussion
at YO! The Movement with Yer Kong (Walker Art Center Teen Arts Council), Luke
Rusch (DJ), Nimco Ahmed (Co-founder of the Twin Cities League of Pissed Off Voters),
Sims (Doomtree), Medium Zach (Big Quarters/EPL), Amelia Graber (Ohio League of Pissed Off Voters), Mattie Weiss (Midwest Organizer League of Pissed Off Voters/Co-author "How To Get Stupid White Men Out of Office"), and Will Shuford (3 Kings).
The interview was facilitated by FranzDiego Dahinten (Illuminous 3).
FRANZ D: What will it take to get a woman or a person of color to be president?
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Big Jess
Wednesday 11 August @ 17:45:31 (Read: 3695) |
by Kandis Knight
On a lazy Sunday afternoon, I decided to do some housework and catch up on my local music listening. After digging through my local music crates I stumbled across Good Clean Fun by Big Jess of local Hip-Hop combo the Uknown Prophets. I had listened to the record a few times before and remembered it had a light cheerful vibe—plus I was sick of the smooth jazz 100.3 rotation.
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The Greatest and Latest Creations of Try D
Wednesday 04 August @ 15:35:44 (Read: 3796) |
VERB - the part of speech that expresses exisitence, action, or occurrence -
by Kandis Knight
This week’s adventure led me to a home nestled deep in a St. Paul “cut.” As I walked up to the door, admiring the serene lake-front view, an all too familiar voice summoned me from behind. “Ayo Kandi.” It was none other than the most prolific emcee to emerge out of Minneapolis’ West Bank Area, Try D. After two calls for directions, I had found my way to the entrance of a true Hip-Hop love nest.
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Third Twin Cities Celebration of Hip-Hop
Wednesday 28 July @ 16:53:09 (Read: 3596) |
VERB - the part of speech that expresses exisitence, action, or occurrence -
by Kandis Knight
Pulse: Who are the people who plan the Celebration of Hip-Hop every year?
Toki: YO! The Movement is the organization that puts on the Twin Cities Celebration of Hip-Hop. YO! works with mostly people under 22 through three of its programs: What’s Up? Youth Info Line, The Metro Youth Council, and the EYS (Express Yo Self) Project. This year YO! is working together with the Walker Art Center Teen Council.
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D.U. Turns 3 Years Old
Wednesday 21 July @ 16:50:16 (Read: 3502) |
VERB - the part of speech that expresses exisitence, action, or occurrence -
by Kandis Knight
It may be hard for some people to fully understand and appreciate the Twin Cities hip-hop scene without a website called dunation.com a.k.a. D.U. I have heard many people attempt to describe what D.U. really is. I think the best description I’ve heard is, “D.U. is a cyber space, hip-hop reality show that broadcasts live 24 hours a day.”
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Dialogue Elevaters: Elevating Twin Cities Hip-Hop
Wednesday 14 July @ 13:55:19 (Read: 3443) |
VERB - the part of speech that expresses exisitence, action, or occurrence -
by Kandis Knight
Pulse: When did you guys start recording Elevater Music?
Geoffry: July 2003. It originally was going to showcase just myself and Ernie and be produced by Ernie and Dirk Diggs. DisputeOne was out of the country recording two 7-inches with Synoptic and didn’t have time to put forth. It all came together when we got five or six beats from Lazerbeak (Doomtree and Plastic Constellations).
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An Interview with Akiem
Wednesday 07 July @ 11:29:57 (Read: 3613) |
VERB - the part of speech that expresses existence, action, or occurrence -
by Kandis Knight
As the summer drags on and the city seems lifeless, I thought I’d catch up with someone who moved out of this city for some inspiration. Although the Micranots sadly are no more, we still got mad love for DJ Kool Akiem who is currently in ATL (Atlanta, Georgia). This one I had to do out of love and respect ‘cause this brotha’ has paid his dues here and he has moved on. I know his thoughts expanded my horizons.
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MaDSoN's Peace Amongst The MaDness
Thursday 01 July @ 11:46:22 (Read: 3881) |
VERB - the part of speech that expresses existence, action, or occurrence -
By Kandis Knight
The Unknown Prophets, MaDSoN and Big Jess, recently released their latest contribution to Minneap-rap, MaDSoN's Peace Amongst The MaDness, and it’s an extremely timely project.
The CD begins with a poem called “Desiderata” performed by Marigua + Childs. I was impressed because I had found the same poem about two years ago at a thrift store. I liked it so much I retyped it, framed it and hung it in our studio. Although Marigua's voice is a tad on the rough side, it’s the power of the words that truly inspires.
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Center Stage With DJ Stage One
Wednesday 23 June @ 17:52:02 (Read: 3825) |
VERB - the part of speech that expresses existence, action, or occurrence -
HIP-HOP...B-BOYS...BREAKERS...D.J.'S...GRAF WRITERS...MC'S...BEAT MAKERS...B-GIRLS
As told to Kandis Knight
When I was in Junior High I moved to Minneapolis from Dayton, Ohio. I’ve been back to Ohio, but basically I’ve been living here, Northside! I was first inspired to DJ because my mom and dad had this huge record collection back in the ’70s that I inherited. I grew up listening to everything—funk, jazz, rock—everything.
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Out of Bounds
Wednesday 16 June @ 12:47:53 (Read: 3695) |
by Kandis Knight
I met a zealous Stephen Wayne from local Hip-Hoppers Out of Bounds while hanging out a few weeks ago at Tonic in Uptown. He was a ball of excitment and eager to chat about his group and their album, Hedfonmuzik. Wayne co-produced Hedfonmuzik for Twin Cities Hip-Hop group Out of Bounds.
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Cheap Cologne vs. The Feds
Wednesday 09 June @ 10:51:10 (Read: 5229) |
VERB - the part of speech that expresses existence, action, or occurrence -
HIP-HOP...B-BOYS...BREAKERS...D.J.'S...GRAF WRITERS...MC'S...BEAT MAKERS...B-GIRLS
by Kandis Knight
The last time I hung out with Cheap Cologne I didn't notice all of the tats. Also there appears to be a certain "rock star" quality about him now that I hadn't noticed before. Being in Cheap Cologne’s presence is akin to listening to his music—meaning it’s a laid-back, cool and intellectually elevating way to spend some time. Maybe these changes have something to do with all the shit Cologne’s been through this past year (I think we can all agree that being chased down by the feds is no joke).
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Something Is Brewing
Thursday 03 June @ 12:32:11 (Read: 3970) |
VERB - the part of speech that expresses existence, action, or occurrence -
HIP-HOP...B-BOYS...BREAKERS...D.J.'S...GRAF WRITERS...MC'S...BEAT MAKERS...B-GIRLS
by Kandis Knight
A call went out. Someone wanted local Hip-Hop related business owners to gather. There were old school and new school heads e-mailing their confirmation to attend. It was exciting and something that should have been done long ago. I wondered if it had been done before?
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Trendsetter Exclusive
Wednesday 26 May @ 13:03:38 (Read: 7424) |
VERB - the part of speech that expresses existence, action, or occurrence -
HIP-HOP...B-BOYS...BREAKERS...D.J.'S...GRAF WRITERS...MC'S...BEAT MAKERS...B-GIRLS
The Stress of Troy Hudson’s Two Worlds
by Kandis Knight
Many of us only know one side of Troy Hudson and that is as a basketball player for The Minnesota Timberwolves. I recently sat down with Mr. Hudson in hopes of learning as much as I could about his other side, the side that is set to debut in July 2004 when he will be releasing his first album, The Stress of Both Worlds. Sure we talked a little basketball (our interview took place in the midst of the T-Wolves playoff drive on May 20), however, due to his ankle injury and the excitement this superstar had about his album we dove head first into the business of his music business.
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Where Tha’ Real Ladies At?
Wednesday 19 May @ 14:00:05 (Read: 3816) |
VERB - the part of speech that expresses exisitence, action, or occurrence -
by Kandis Knight
Depending upon how diverse your Hip-Hop taste is, or how long you’ve been kicking it around the local Hip-Hop scene, you may remember two local females going by the name of Lyricist and Link (collectively called Double L) from back in the day. I recently caught up with Lyricist a.k.a. Tracie Barber, who is now solo and poised to drop her new album (currently untitled) sometime this year. We discussed her former career as the first lady of Clientele Records (formerly home to Lil’ Buddy) and the new direction her career is taking as she prepares for her “come-back.”
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Desdamona : The Twin Cities’ “Princess of The Poem”
Wednesday 12 May @ 12:32:55 (Read: 3767) |
VERB - the part of speech that expresses existence, action, or occurrence.
by Kandis Knight
Despite the obstacles she’s had to overcome, Desdamona has carved out a niche for herself as a highly respected artist in the local Hip-Hop/spoken word scene with an independent release already under her belt (2003’s Resilience) and a new album on the way later this year. This month the Twin Cities’ highly lauded “Princess of the Poem” turned 31, and as the years pass, her artistic expressiveness continues to grow. As she gets ready to spread her wings and fly to foreign shores, repping Minneapolis of course, she took some time out to share a little about her world.
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VERB: A Proper Balance For Our Hip-Hop Market
Wednesday 05 May @ 15:09:28 (Read: 4178) |
There is a new hip-hop clothing store called Balance opening in Minneapolis near the end of May. So exactly how should we welcome the newest hip-hop related business to the Twin Cities? Instead of thinking “oh no not another hip-hop store . . . not another vinyl store . . . not another Fifth Element”. Try thinking “oh yes another cool place to pick up to cool gear . . . not to mention a potential sponsor for local hip-hop shows . . . another ally for local hip-hop . . . another cool place to frequent where “our” music and fashion are accepted . . . another business that understands and appreciates the contribution of hip-hop to our Twin Cities culture. Right?
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VERB: Everyone ... The Bungalow Has Moved!
Wednesday 28 April @ 13:28:49 (Read: 4284) |
by Kandis Kight
Most of us have gotten to know DJ Verb X from The Bungalow on Thursday nights at First Avenue. Verb X is a local DJ I personally love to check out almost weekly in the summer because his parties are nothing short of “hot.” DJ Verb X’s sets feature old school, new school and burning hot reggae mixes. Verb X is a pillar in our Hip-Hop community and has long been a staple in the V.I.P. room, spinning Hip-Hop and reggae, for the past five years and counting.
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Juxtaposition Arts
Wednesday 21 April @ 12:32:41 (Read: 3984) |
VERB - the part of speech that expresses existence, action, or occurrence -
by Kandis Knight
In 1979, Roger Cummings and Peyton Cook crossed paths and became good friends. Just in time to witness Hip-Hop’s introduction to the local scene. The two shared a deep love for Hip-Hop culture, especially graffiti. Naturally they both became submerged in Hip-Hop by honing their skills as graffiti artists, becoming two of the best this city has ever known.
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VERB: Minneapolis’ King of Crunk
Wednesday 14 April @ 12:56:47 (Read: 4060) |
by Kandis Knight
“I don’t talk about no guns. You’ll never hear me saying I’ll shoot ya. I don’t talk about no dope slanging. I don’t got no keys. I don’t got no homies coming in from Guatemala. I don’t talk about none of that. I’m mostly a party oriented type of cat, I talk about a lot of kicking it,” said Contac, Minneapolis’ most nationally recognized “crunk-tified” emcee.
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VERB: Fall Forward
Wednesday 24 March @ 12:30:35 (Read: 3868) |
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by Kandis Knight
“It’s revolution evolution of our spiritual whole
so we can stop the execution of our beautiful soul. Traditional makes music
so the people can grow, when you don’t love yourself that’s when
the evil can show” -Shizznon
There are times when life hurts us, then heals us, and in this
process humbles us. Some days feel like you’re simply stumbling into the
next or falling forward.
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Ipecac is Neat
Wednesday 17 March @ 12:08:15 (Read: 6266) |
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by Kandis Knight
“I was nervous last night,” recapped P.O.S. about
his debut cd release party for his first solo project, Ipecac Neat. “I
usually play a lot of shows so I never get nervous but I was nervous last night
because I have been trying to have a CD release party for this record for like
two years,” said P.O.S., 22.
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Retro Odds and Ends
Wednesday 10 March @ 13:39:47 (Read: 4019) |
In high school, local DJ extraordinaire Aaron Money was inspired by Hip-Hop greats such as DJ Jazzy Jeff, Cash Money, DJ Premiere and Rob Swift. At his first opportunity he ran out and bought some cheap turntables and never looked back. “Growing up in Milwaukee, I got to have a variety of experiences, from hearing great music at a young age to being able to interact with all kinds of people in all kinds of situations,” said Money, 25.
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Micranots Call It Quits, I Self Devine to Go Solo
Wednesday 03 March @ 13:20:00 (Read: 4600) |
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by Kandis Knight
Pulse: What does an artist like yourself currently bump
in your CD player?
I Self Devine: I am listening to the instrumental beats
for my next album. Beyond that I would say anything from De La (De La Soul),
Curtis Mayfield, Coltrane. I collect a lot of records, I listen to a lot of
older music, mid ’80s rhythm and blues, early Hip-Hop.
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Patriotic Duty
Friday 27 February @ 12:30:43 (Read: 4427) |
Verb - the part of speech that expresses existence, action, or occurrence
by Kandis Knight
I don’t venture into St. Paul often but on this gray Minnesota day it was well worth the ride across the river. I was going to meet Frank Sentwali one of the founding members of The Minnesota Spoken Word Association and lead artist of the Twin Cities most eclectic spoken word/Hip-Hop crew Edupoetic.
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Local Hip-Hop Executives, Underground Music & Fashion
Wednesday 18 February @ 12:10:07 (Read: 5517) |
by Kandis Knight
Matt Meyers and Jamar Hardy are not your typical business executives. As they approached me in their big, bright orange bomber jackets I realized the dainty table in the cute little coffee shop was probably the wrong setting to select for an interview with 6-foot-plus, 200-lb. Hip-Hop professionals.
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Carnology .5
Wednesday 11 February @ 11:09:30 (Read: 4602) |
by Kandis Knight
Carnage was born Terrell Woods on Chicago’s infamous southside on December 14, 1974. As many local heads already know, this lyrically inclined Sagittarius has much on his mind possibly because he has risen so high above his lot in life. One conversation and a million e-mails later I realize Carnage is literally floating in the stratosphere of life even though he started out rather low.
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Spring Release Run Down
Monday 09 February @ 15:55:11 (Read: 5100) |
By Kandis Knight
Although the cold has truly set in we thought we’d heat everyone up for spring with a run down of local hip-hop to be released in Spring 2004. Many local artists are heating things up in the studio. The spring 2004 anticipated release line-up includes projects from many local emcees we all know and love.
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Enter The Twilight Zone: Buc Raw & Freize
Tuesday 27 January @ 20:01:46 (Read: 4339) |
VERB - the part of speech that expresses existence, action, or occurrence -
by Kandis Knight
Hip-Hop has bridged many cultures throughout the world. In the Twin Cities, however, Hip-Hop heads remain diverse yet segregated. For example, the heads who hang out at Fifth Element would probably feel like they entered the Twilight Zone if they ended up at the Red Sea on a Saturday Night for a Contac or Dead End Concert. And vice versa.
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Ant on a Log
Wednesday 21 January @ 14:12:09 (Read: 5362) |
by special guest columnist Todd Harrison
Editor’s Note: Kandis’ regularly scheduled column will not be available this week due to technical difficulties. Never fear though, Kandis Knight’s local Hip-Hop profiles will return in next week’s “Verb.”
Local Hip-Hop record label Rhymesayers had a banner year in 2003. Amongst all of its well-regarded releases, two albums in particular catapulted this indie-label out of the underground into mainstream.
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DJ Chuck Chizzle
Wednesday 14 January @ 12:36:29 (Read: 5452) |
VERB - the part of speech that expresses existence, action, or occurrence -
by Kandis Knight
DJ Chuck Chizzle can be called a "Prince" if we were to classify him under the banner of local hip-hop royalty. Two Kings in the local hip-hop game groomed him since he was a kid. He is the son of old school disc jockey DJ Chuck Chill Out, and a true Twin Cities hip-hop pioneer, Travis "Travitron" Lee, mentored him.
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Syst - Soothing Pain
Wednesday 07 January @ 12:33:42 (Read: 4526) |
VERB - the part of speech that expresses existence, action, or occurrence -
by Kandis Knight
Syst is yet another young local Hip-Hop artist on the horizon definitely worth watching out for. Soothing Pain, his sophomore solo album, will be released at the end of this month. Although the 22-year-old feels he’s only making small waves in the local scene, Syst already has a consistent track record, releasing material annually for three years.
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MN Hip-Hop Roundtable
Tuesday 30 December @ 17:40:57 (Read: 4856) |
VERB - the part of speech that expresses existence, action, or occurrence -
by Kandis Knight
I recently had the chance to transcribe a conversation between key players in the local Hip-Hop scene that turned into a mini-State of the Union on what’s right (and what’s wrong) with Hip-Hop in Minnesota as we enter 2004. The players in the talk were DJs Substance and Aaron Money, MC Mad Son of Unkown Prophets and local Hip-Hop mega-fans Defone and Rightwordz.
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2003 Year in Twin Cities Hip-Hop
Tuesday 23 December @ 19:25:41 (Read: 5908) |
VERB - the part of speech that expresses existence, action, or occurrence -
by Kandis Knight
As we say “peace out” to 2003 I’d like to say it has truly been an honor writing this column. VERB was created to express the existence, the occurrence and the very action of what Hip-Hop is here in the Twin Cities. I want to thank my editor, Rob van Alstyne and Tha’ BIG Man Ed Felien at Pulse for the opportunity to have access to this media outlet to build up the local Hip-Hop scene.
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What is BIOHH
Wednesday 17 December @ 13:48:29 (Read: 5759) |
Verb - the part of speech that expresses existence, action or occurrence -
by Kandis Knight
What exactly is BIOHH? I wondered after seeing the logo displayed at local Hip-Hop shows and functions. Is it an artist I thought? Maybe it is some type of organization?
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Invest in local Hip-Hop
Wednesday 10 December @ 12:25:55 (Read: 4667) |
VERB - the part of speech that expresses existence, action, or occurrence -
HIP-HOP.....B-BOYS.....BREAKERS.....D.J.'S.....GRAF WRITERS.....MC'S.....BEAT MAKERS.....B-GIRLS
by Kandis Knight
As I sit here writing about local Hip-Hop every week I can't help but attempt to reach out to the business community in the hopes that someone will read this story and see the benefit of investing in local Hip-Hop.
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The Purest Form
Wednesday 03 December @ 13:45:44 (Read: 4530) |
VERB - the part of speach that expresses existence, action, or occurrence -
by Kandis Knight
The first time I saw Purest Form (http://www.purestform.com) perform was at Tha’ Tunnel this past September. I remember when the group hit the stage a friend approached me and said “They’re really good, are they really from here?”
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The Shadiest Side of Slim Shady Has Emerged
Wednesday 26 November @ 11:54:13 (Read: 8698) |
the part of speech that expresses existence, action, or occurrence
by Kandis Knight
Rapper Eminem a.k.a. Slim Shady confessed and apologized last week for making a racially derogatory song over ten years ago. On the tape Eminem made the following statements: “And all the girls that I like to bone/Have the big butts, no they don’t/ Cause I don’t like that n**ger s**t/ I’m just here to make a bigger hit ...
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Musab, Smooth Brotha' Number One
Wednesday 19 November @ 12:57:02 (Read: 5724) |
Verb - the part of speech that expresses rxistance, action, or occurrence -
by Kandis Knight
On a cold rainy evening I ventured to the cozy home of Musab, Rhymesayer's "Smoothest Brotha' Number One." Over the course of three hours we relaxed, watched a basketball game and had a little local rap talk.
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D.U. Nation - Underground Hip-Hop
Wednesday 12 November @ 22:05:51 (Read: 5782) |
HIP-HOP.....B-BOYS.....BREAKERS.....D.J.'S.....GRAF WRITERS.....MC'S.....BEAT MAKERS.....B-GIRLS
VERB - the part of speach that expresses existance, action, or occurrence -
by Kandis Knight
Imagine a place open 24 hours a day where Hip-Hop artists and fans link up to talk about music, life, politics and sports. Admission is free and even comes with some goodies (free mp3’s anyone?).
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Twizzle Fizzle
Wednesday 05 November @ 10:42:54 (Read: 5693) |
the part of speach that expresses existence, action or occurrence
by Kandis Knight
I recently had a chance to speak with Toki Wright and Adonis (AD) Frasier of The C.O.R.E. (http://www.thecore.biz) about growing up in Minneapolis, their views on how Hip-Hop has changed and about their views on the Minneapolis Hip-Hop scene. This dynamic duo are busy preparing for the Twizzle Fizzle(http://www.twizzlezizzle.com) show on Sat., Nov. 15, at the Minneapolis Hyatt Hilton Hotel featuring Grand Master Flash and Pharcyde, Muja Messiah, Frankie Bones, and DJ Disco T, 3 Kings and more.
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Facing Mekka
Wednesday 29 October @ 12:40:53 (Read: 4797) |
- the part of speech that expresses existence, action, or occurrence -
by Kandis Knight
Hip-Hop started out as a way for black youth to express themselves. As its influence grew and began to touch the middle and upper classes of society, the idea that Hip-Hop was a lifestyle, not just a style of music, began to flourish. As Hip-Hop went global many people in other nations equated Hip-Hop culture as shorthand for the American cultural experience at large. I believe Hip-Hop, like all forms of music, is a universal echo of the human experience. The angry, sad (even pointless) voices heard in some Hip-Hop songs all have important value.
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Cheap Cologne’s roots are deep
Tuesday 21 October @ 16:10:18 (Read: 4927) |
VERB - the part of speech that expresses existence, action, or occurrence -
by Kandis Knight
Minneapolis Hip-Hop producer extraordinaire Cheap Cologne’s roots are deep. At 32, he’s watched Hip-Hop evolve from its very beginnings, soaking in Chaka Khan and Grandmaster Flash when they first hit the scene.
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Golden Boy
Tuesday 14 October @ 18:20:37 (Read: 6452) |
VERB - the part of speech that expresses existence, action or occurrence -
by Kandis Knight
Minneapolis Hip-Hop’s aptly surnamed golden boy, Casey Golden, spoke with me briefly before leaving Minneapolis to pursue what hopefully will be a date with destiny.
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Life On The Road With Odd Jobs
Wednesday 08 October @ 10:58:14 (Read: 7649) |
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by Kandis Knight
Prior to embarking on the 62-city, Seven's Travel's Tour, the members of Odd Jobs (http://www.cmiproductions.com), Crescent Moon, Advizer, Nomi, DJ Anatomy and DJ Deetalx and the group's unofficial mascot going by the name of "Portnoy" sat down with me for a candid interview. The two-hour interview covered upcoming tour plans, projects and a critique of the Minneapolis Hip-Hop scene and their most recent album, The Shop Keeper's Wife. Since the groups formation in 1995 Odd Jobs have released more than nine albums and have toured internationally at a nearly constant pace, spreading the word about the Minneapolis Hip-Hop scene and sharing their particular style of Hip-hop with thousands of fans.
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VERB
Wednesday 01 October @ 12:23:26 (Read: 4666) |
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by Kandis Knight
Detekh of Supreme Beat Recordings is a seven-year veteran of local Hip-Hop production. He has recorded nearly every emcee in the Twin Cities and will be releasing his Greatest Unreleased Hits this winter. Detekh is without a question the Twin Cities most prolific Hip-Hop producer.
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VERB
Wednesday 24 September @ 13:42:19 (Read: 6083) |
VERB- the part of speech that expresses existence, action, or occurrence -
by Kandis Knight
I recently had the chance to sit down with Slug of Atmosphere, aka Seven, aka Sean Daley, at his Uptown Minneapolis home, just before the release of his group’s highly anticipated new album. The undisputed reigning group of the Rhymesayer’s Empire and Twin Cities Hip-Hop, Atmosphere’s latest long-player, Seven’s Travels, was released this Tuesday to hordes of anxiously awaiting beat-heads. When I arrived at Slug’s humble abode, his cat Lucy greeted me at the door, looking at me quizzically and sticking her nose into the air. I had heard her name (or was that namesake?) immortalized in more than one Atmosphere tune, but I resisted the strong urge to ask the animal any questions.
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VERB
Thursday 18 September @ 12:55:03 (Read: 4542) |
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by Kandis Knight
Editorial Introduction: Welcome to the first edition of what will be a new, regularly occuring column in the Pulse. The Pulse music section has long intended to provide cogent criticism and interviews with local and national musicans crafting thought-provoking and innovative songs that stay under the mainstream Clear Channel sanitized cultural radar. We want to recognize that Hip-Hop is a huge part of the artistic community in the Twin Cities and apologize for having neglected covering it consistently in the past. All of that is about to change with “Verb” which will feature in-depth interviews with many notable faces on the Twin Cities Hip-Hop scene over the weeks to come. Stay tuned for an exclusive chat with Slug from Atmosphere next week.
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